The ocean makes life on Earth possible.

And it’s in trouble.

Why is the ocean important?

Jobs and Prosperity

Fishing. Shipping. Tourism. The ocean is a mighty economic engine that brings jobs and prosperity to all of us. And this includes tens of millions of the world’s most vulnerable people, who rely directly on the sea to make a living and to improve their lives.

Air We Breathe

The ocean is Earth’s life support system. It produces 50% of the planet’s oxygen, meaning that every other breath you take comes from the sea. It’s also a major part of the “water cycle,” which gives us the rain we need to survive. It’s simple but true: Without the ocean, we wouldn’t exist.

Food We Eat

More than 1 billion people depend on seafood as their main protein source. With global demand for food expected to nearly double by 2050, that number is only going to grow. To feed a hungry world, we’ll need to keep our oceans full of fish.

Climate Stability

Carbon dioxide and other atmospheric gases trap heat — just enough to keep Earth hospitable to life. But the oceans play a role in our climate, too. They store the vast majority of the carbon on Earth, including much of the extra carbon that people generate by burning fossil fuels and clearing forests. Without the ocean, Earth would be a sauna.

EditText:Overfishing and damaging fishing practicesTaking more fish out of the ocean than it can provide is reckless. But that’s exactly what we’re doing — often in destructive ways like dredging up the ocean floor with nets or cutting fins off of sharks. As a result, around 30% of the world’s fisheries are overexploited or depleted.

EditText:Destruction of coastal habitatsCoastal forests, tidal marshes and other shoreline ecosystems are Earth’s carbon sponges. Despite comprising just 2% of the ocean, they store 50% of its carbon. Yet we’re destroying them at an alarming rate — nearly one-third of coastal regions have already been ruined.

EditText:Climate changeBy absorbing heat and CO2 from the atmosphere, the ocean helps keep our climate stable. But the ocean is absorbing too much heat and CO2, making it warmer and more acidic. Already, 75% of coral reefs — vital fish spawning grounds and barriers against storms — are in danger of dissolving or dying out.

EditText:PollutionAll rivers run to the sea. But often, they are full of pollutants that wreck the ocean. Take “dead zones,” places in the sea where nothing can live because chemicals promote the growth of plants that suck up oxygen. Or the “garbage patch” where plastic from around the world floats to the north Pacific and becomes nature’s giant waste dump.

CI’s solutions

We are constantly studying and measuring the ocean, using the latest methods and tools like the Ocean Health Index. In addition to helping create and strengthen marine protected areas and networks, CI works on new models for ocean management — in one case, working with more than 20 nations to manage an area of sea the size of the moon. We also work to end destructive fishing practices — like trawling, shark finning and overfishing — so that fish stay in our ocean for generations.

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EditCall to Action Description:People need the ocean. That’s where you come in. When you save a mile of ocean for $75, you’ll help create a healthier, more prosperous, more productive planet, for you and for everyone.